Sports training devices and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The body position training device disclosed herein can alert a person about the positioning of one or more parts of their body. In one non-limiting example, the body position training device can be used by athletes for sports training to achieve improved body positioning, e.g. in the sport of boxing the training experience can be enhanced by the athlete being alerted when their hands have moved from the standard boxing guard position. In one non-limiting example, a boxing training device can comprise one or more sensors incorporated into one or more articles that the athlete wears ad (e.g. a headband, headgear, boxing gloves, wristbands etc.). Preferred embodiments of body position training devices and methods of use are disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/577,028 filed Oct. 25, 2017, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals training for sports often rely on coaches, other players, and videos to learn about body placement. For example, in the sport of boxing, coaches often encourage athletes to keep their hands up in the standard boxing guard. Athletic performance can be improved through the repeated reminder of body positioning. There exists a need for sports training devices to notify a person to reposition the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention described herein comprises a body position training device comprising at least one proximity sensor, the first proximity sensor being associated with a first hand position, wherein the sensor is positioned for detecting the position of the first hand in relation to a head position of the user. In some embodiments, the body positon training device of claim 1 further comprises an alert mechanism to notify the user when the first hand position has moved outside a preferred position. In some embodiments, the body position training device comprises a first proximity sensor is associated in a wearable medium near the head. In some embodiments, the wearable medium near the head is selected from the group consisting of: a headband, boxing headgear, eye protection, and a helmet.

In some embodiments, the proximity sensor uses electromagnetic waves to detect a first hand position. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic waves are: infrared, ultrasound, or optical light.

In some embodiments, the body position training device comprises at least two proximity sensors, the second proximity sensor being associated with a second hand position, wherein the sensor is positioned for detecting the position of the second hand.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration depicting a drawing of a boxing athlete training.

FIG. 1A represents a boxer wherein the hands are held in a preferred boxing stance (e.g. the standard boxing guard). FIG. 1B represents a boxing athlete wherein the hands have dropped from the standard boxing guard and the boxing athlete is notified via an audible sound (represented by stars).

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration depicting a drawing of a headband comprising two sensors.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration depicting a drawing of a boxing athlete training.

FIG. 3A represents a boxer wherein the hands are held in a preferred boxing stance (e.g. the hands are held up near the head). FIG. 3B represents the boxer whose hands have dropped lower than a preferred boxing stance for period of time; the boxer is wearing a headband comprising sensors which is alerting the boxer of the drop in hand position. FIG. 3C represents a boxer who after being alerted to a drop in hand position, has repositioned their hands to a preferred boxing position, wherein the hands are held higher, as in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The body position training device disclosed herein can alert a person about the positioning of one or more parts of their body. In one non-limiting example, the body position training device can be used by athletes for sports training to achieve improved body positioning, e.g. in the sport of boxing the training experience can be enhanced by the athlete being alerted when their hands have moved from the standard boxing guard position (see FIG. 1A and 1B, wherein the athlete is notified by a sound when the hands have dropped from the standard boxing guard. In one non-limiting example, a boxing training device can comprise one or more sensors incorporated into one or more articles that the athlete wears ad (e.g. a headband, headgear, boxing gloves, wristbands etc.). Preferred embodiments of body position training devices and methods of use are disclosed herein.

The body position training device can alerts the user when the body position has moved for a period of time. In some embodiments, a boxing training device can consist of an integrated electronic circuit embedded in a headband. The headband can comprise electronics that are useful in alerting the user. For example, the headband can alert the user when one or both hands have moved outside a set position for a period of time. The set position can be set to approximate a boxing guard (e.g. hands level, in front of the face with chin lowered). FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration depicting a drawing of a boxing athlete training. FIG. 3A represents a boxer wherein the hands are held in a preferred boxing stance (e.g. the hands are held up near the head). FIG. 3B represents the boxer whose hands have dropped lower than a preferred boxing stance for period of time; the boxer is wearing a headband comprising sensors which is alerting the boxer of the drop in hand position. FIG. 3C represents a boxer who after being alerted to a drop in hand position, has repositioned their hands to a preferred boxing position, wherein the hands are held higher, as in FIG. 3A. In this way, repeated use of the device can consistently alert a boxer when they have their hands in an undesirable position, e.g. when the hands have dropped. The consistent notification of a boxer during training can improve performance by training the athlete to adhere to a preferred boxing position more often.

The set position can range in length based on the user's size, experience, preference and/or other factors. For example, a set position can be a preferred boxing position. The set position can range from between when the hands making contact with the head (e.g. forehead area) to approximately 5 cm, or more from the face. The set position can be programmable by a user. The user can be the athlete being trained or by a coach using the system to coach an athlete. A user can program the unit to notify a user when one hand or both hands have dropped from a user-set position.

The device can enhance the training experience of the athlete by alerting the athlete when either or both hands have dropped from the boxing guard position. Such alert can be given through a user programmable timer that can alert the user at a programmable frequency. For example, the alert can be given instantaneously to up to 10 seconds or more after the hands have dropped. In some embodiments, the alert can be programmed by the user. The step variance can range from hundreds of microseconds to 1 second or more.

The device senses when the proximity of the hands from the head has increased, e.g. when the hands have dropped. One skilled in the art will recognize that a sensor can sense proximity via via a number of ways, e.g., electromagnetic waves, infrared, optical, mechanical, sound and the like. One non-limiting sensor is a proximity sensor, wherein when the either hand in the guard has been dropped the sensor can sense the difference in proximity. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor can sense electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor can sense through sound. In some embodiments, the sensor can sense infrared. In some embodiments, the sensor can sense via optical sensors. Some non limiting examples of proximity sensors include: infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors, and optical sensors. In some embodiments, the measurement of proximity is detected by wave sensing. In some embodiments, the measurement of proximity is detected by physical touch, e.g., a button or pressure sensor. The device can comprise two or more individual and logical independent sensors that are frequently checking for proximity in the megahertz band or more. In some embodiments, the minimum frequency band in which the device can be built is in kilohertz range, e.g. below the kilohertz range, the accuracy in milliseconds can be reduced. However the scope of the device is not limited to any frequency.

Once a sensor identifies that the hands are not at the programmed distance from the sensor, a timer will can begin. Once such timer goes beyond the user programmed time, then a signal alert is emitted. In some embodiments, each sensor and timer are independent and either check the right hand or the left hand. In some embodiments, the signal emitted can signal to the user which hand has dropped (e.g. dropping the left hand could result in a sound that is at a first frequency and dropping the right hand could result in a sound that is at a second frequency).

The alert to the athlete can be through any mechanism that can be sensed by the athlete. Some non-limiting examples include, sound, vibrations and/or light emissions.

One skilled in the art will recognize the integrated circuitry can be embedded in many items. Some non-limiting examples include: headbands, boxing headgear, head guards, wrist bands, boxing gloves and any wearable device. FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration depicting a drawing of a headband (205) comprising two sensors (210) and (215). In this drawing, each sensor comprises its own circuitry and alarm mechanism to notify the user if the proximity has changed.

The integrated circuitry can connect one or more sensors. In some embodiments, each sensor comprises its own circuitry, e.g. the two or more sensors are not connected through any circuitry or by other wireless means (e.g. Bluetooth). In some embodiments, two or more sensors can be connected via a wireless means (e.g. Bluetooth).

The system can contain a user interface that includes but is not limited power on/off button, increase timer or decrease timer by certain arbitrary step and sensor for emitting alerts. The user interface can be on a headband. The user interface can be on a glove. The user interface can be a software application that is run on a computerized device, e.g. a smart phone.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A body position training device, comprising: at least one proximity sensor, the first proximity sensor being associated with a first hand position, wherein the sensor is positioned for detecting the position of the first hand in relation to a head position of the user.
 2. The body position training device of claim 1 further comprising an alert mechanism to notify the user when the first hand position has moved outside a preferred position.
 3. The body position training device of claim 1 wherein a first proximity sensor is associated in a wearable medium near the head.
 4. The body position training device of claim 3, wherein the wearable medium near the head is selected from the group consisting of: a headband, boxing headgear, eye protection, and a helmet.
 5. The body position training device of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor uses: electromagnetic waves, mechanical waves, or any combination thereof, to detect a first hand position.
 6. The body position training device of claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor detects: electromagnetic waves, infrared waves, ultrasound waves, sound waves, or optical light.
 7. The body position training device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least two proximity sensors, the second proximity sensor being associated with a second hand position, wherein the sensor is positioned for detecting the position of the second hand. 